Patient Safety Organisation of the Year

Tales of patient safety failings receive huge amounts of attention – rightly so. But too often stories about services that deliver consistently good, safe care are missed. This award remedies that situation. Our judges are seeking to name and celebrate the NHS’s best performing organisation on patient safety. They are interested in NHS bodies with a strong culture of patient safety that begins with the board and permeates all levels, with all individuals dedicated to finding ways to deliver ever-safer care.

Eligibility

Entries are welcomed from all NHS organisations and bodies. Entries may include partnerships if that partnership was specifically engaged to sustain improvements to patient safety for that organisation.

Judging Criteria

Ambition

An explanation of how the organisation has successfully placed patient safety at the centre of all it does. Include an explanation of how the organisation’s patient safety work is informed by existing best practice. Describe the context of the patient safety dynamic and how a safety culture permeates through the organisation.

Outcome

Evidence of consistently strong performance on patient safety. This should be quantitative – for example, reductions in medication administration errors, reductions in healthcare associated infection, a drop in adverse events. Include evidence of consistently high-quality care. This should have a quantitative aspect but can also include qualitative data such as patient feedback.

Spread

A focus on patient safety which has demonstrably spread throughout the organisation and has been embraced by staff at all levels. Practices or initiatives which are replicable and which could be or have been taken up by other NHS bodies.

Proof of consistently strong staff engagement in patient safety and a culture in which all members of staff can raise concerns and make suggestions for improvements. Where appropriate, patient involvement in specific safety initiatives.